DisneyWar

[Cadaverous Pallor]

I finally got around to reading DisneyWar by James B Stewart, the tell-all about Eisner's reign at Disney, leading right up to his decision to resign in 2006.

I didn't finish it.

The book goes into excruciating detail about all aspects of Disney backroom policy. I've read books about the 80's and early 90's at Disney and I knew most of that, but I've never seen this deep a treatment. Every move, every memo, every meeting...Katzenberg is staying, he's leaving, he's talking to this guy and this guy about leaving, Eisner's threatening to get rid of him, Eisner's praising him in the media, Eisner talks him into staying, etc etc etc. Same thing with Ovitz. Is he joining the company? Yes, no, yes, no, yes. Is he leaving? Yes, no, yes, no....I swear, it was back and forth for freakin' ages on every topic. It's not interesting after a while, because it's just the same thing over and over, and when decisions are finally made my only feeling was "thank God I don't have to read about that anymore."

I really wanted to skip ahead to 1995, with Pressler coming on board, and then read about the development of DCA. I was reading and reading with lots of restraint when I realized I was hitting 1998 with no mention of the parks at all. Incredible detail about ABC and live action films and animation, but nothing about the parks.

I discovered the index and looked for Pressler - There's one bit mentioning his appointment, and the main focus is that the previous guy, Judson Green, had made the parks the most consistently profitable division, but Eisner got rid of him without any warning simply because he wanted to give Pressler the boost.

Nothing more is said of Pressler, except a brief mention of him during the 9/11 fallout and mentioning that he left within the past year. (Cynthia Harris is too low on the totem pole to get a single mention in this book.)

I looked up DCA. Absolutely NO mention of its development. EuroDisney got huge chapters talking about all that went into it and the failure when it opened. DCA got a one liner, saying it didn't do well in its first year.

I was shocked that there was no focus on the parks at all after EuroDisney became Disneyland Paris.

I read a bit about the shareholder's vote against Eisner and apparently Stewart talked to a few Disney fan/stockholders that showed up. Ironically enough, what was the first thing on their list of grievances? The deterioration of the parks, of course.

It is my theory that a large chunk of the people that are pissed at Eisner are Theme Park people. The list of main complaints is relatively short: Park problems, animation dept problems, acquisition frenzy, the resulting problems with the acquisitions themeselves.....plus Eisner managerial style in itself (ie, never trusting anyone). So why the hell didn't Stewart address the Parks? In all the other respects he goes into ridiculous detail.

In short, I'm pissed about the book. Yeah, it makes Eisner look bad, which is good and all, but I think it misrepresents in part why many of us hate him so much. Plus, I just found it really, really boring, and God knows I have an interest in the subject.

Anyone else read this? Did I miss something when I started skipping around?

[wendybeth]

I read it, and loved it. I loved everything about it. The corporate intrigue, backstabbing and appalling lack of respect for other people demonstrated by all the key players was fascinating. It never ceases to amaze me what people will do, and go through, for power and wealth. I loved Barbarians at the Gate as well, so maybe it's just my thing. Real life beats fiction any day. I have re-read the book several times, and am now reading it again. I think Stewart doesn't dwell on the Theme Parks angle too much because it is so publicised already, whereas most of this is behind-the-scenes stuff, as with Tarses, et al. Most of these people are just so corrupt- it's astounding just how much so.

[MickeyLumbo]

the most appalling part of the book for me was reading the manner in which Roy Disney was treated.

great review, CP.

[Isaac]

I looked up DCA. Absolutely NO mention of its development. EuroDisney got huge chapters talking about all that went into it and the failure when it opened. DCA got a one liner, saying it didn't do well in its first year.

I was shocked that there was no focus on the parks at all after EuroDisney became Disneyland Paris.
I think he might be saving that for another book.

If you notice, every Disney theme park that's opened under Eisner's reign has had difficulties making money & attracting large crowds.**

May 1, 1989 - Disney MGM Studios ----- 6 attractions total on opening day, guests hated it; barely passable among park guests today, even after much growth

April 12, 1992 - Euro Disneyland ----- designed to be a big money maker, loses over $1.2 billion in less than 2 years of operating. Still struggling today to make money

April 22, 1998 - Disney's Animal Kingdom ---- Like Disney MGM Studios, lack of attractions = dissatisfied guests & low attendance

February 8, 2001 - Disney's California Adventure ----- ( I needn't comment; we've all been there ;) )

March 16, 2002 - Parc Walt Disney Studios ----- 9 attractions & lack of theming. Low attendance & guests complaining it's not nearly as pretty as it's neighbor EDL

That's five for five right there. Hong Kong Disneyland, which is already getting horrid reviews due to it's lack of rides will be opening just as Eisner is leaving. Good timing, ey ? Abandoning ship before it begins to sink. What a coward!

Now add into the mix the poor upkeep of the existing theme parks, removal of classic attractions without replacements, and special signature Disney touches disappearing and there's a whole brand new book destined for the best seller's list.

See what I mean ?


**= the one exception is Tokyo Disney Seas but it's not owned by the Walt Disney Company.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

I loved Barbarians at the Gate as well, so maybe it's just my thing. Real life beats fiction any day. I have read 3 or 4 books about Disney behind the scenes (older ones, titles escape me at the moment), plus Autumn of the Moguls which is about the big execs from all the media congloms. I have always dug this stuff. But this book boooored me. Oh well.

Thanks to zapp for all that info, very cool.

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

Well, I'm chiming in a bit later here. I just finished the book. I've been dying to read this and I will say I hadn't read your review previously.

I too was surpised that there was no mention of the Parks, Pressler, Harris and even the BTMRR accident. I was also surpised at how much of a dick Eisner was/is. I knew he was a jerk, but hey... I don't think, based on his actions, could call him "human." Just a horrible person. I'm glad I boo'ed. ;)

I enjoyed the book and it opened my eyes to alot. I think you're right on about what you said CP. I did feel myself doing some skimming, but then returning to see what I missed.

Again, informative, enjoyable, but has some substantial "holes" in it. I'm positive, should they choose to do so, they would get another 500+ page book out of the issue of Theme Parks, DCA and the "Pressler" era.

[wendybeth]

Just today, I was speaking to a co-worker's client, who shares my love of all things Disney. "Well, we won..Eisner's out!" I replied "Yeah, but it was all pretty anticlimatic, wasn't it?" Upon reflection, we both agreed that perhaps that was how it should be- he came in with a roar, and went out with a whisper.

Meanwhile, the early reports on Iger are trickling in: Investors pleased, so far... (http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story.asp?guid=%7B17317844-2F84-4F92-8189-FA230288EBFA%7D&siteid=mktw&dist=nbk). I heard a few stories about him that indicate he certainly has the potential to be as petty as his former boss. Hopefully, he's learned from Eisner's mistakes. If he does fall into bad habits, I also hope the Board is strong enough to stop him dead in his tracks.

[innerSpaceman]

Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss.






Learn from past mistakes? Since when?

[TigerLily]

I'm thinking since it seems to be Roy's MO...he'll find something wrong with this guy too and someone new will be there eventually. he's done this twice now....and eisner was not all bad when he first came in, but I didn't like him very much at the end...of course I don't like roy very much either...*shrug*

[wendybeth]

Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss.






Learn from past mistakes? Since when?

Well, I was really hoping that once he pulled his pretty-boy face out of Eisner's ass, he'd surprise us all and actually do a good job. I am not holding my breath. In fact, I'm still waiting for him to be hit by one of Eisner's fabled trucks.